Occurrence and Profiles of the Artificial Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A and Natural Endocrine Disruptor Phytoestrogens in Urine from Children in China

Mingyue Zhang,Ke Li,Lei Wang,Zhenghua Duan,Yinghong Wu,Zhen Liu

doi:10.3390/ijerph121214964

Abstract

Background: Exposure to artificial or natural endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phytoestrogens has been demonstrated to have health effects, especially in children. Biomonitoring of BPA and phytoestrogens in human urine can be used to assess the intake levels of these compounds. Methods: In this study, BPA and phytoestrogens in urine specimens (n = 256) collected from children in China were measured by liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Results: BPA was detected in most specimens, with a geometric mean concentration of 1.58 ng/mL. For the first time, levels of urinary phytoestrogens in Chinese children were reported. Daidzein and enterolactone are the typical isoflavones and lignans compounds in urine, respectively. Conclusions: Relatively high levels of urinary BPA indicate an increasing risk of BPA exposure to Chinese children. Urinary concentrations of daidzein in Chinese children are higher when compared with those reported in the U.S. children, while concentrations of urinary enterolactone and enterodiols are significantly lower. This suggests a significant difference in phytoestrogen intake between the children from China and from the U.S.

Highlights

Exposure of exogenous chemicals can affect human health, which has resulted in an urgent need for human biomonitoring
In this study bisphenol A (BPA) was widely detected in urine from children in Tianjin, China, at a concentration level higher than that reported for Chinese children in the past
BPA concentration level in this study indicates an increasing risk of BPA exposure to Chinese children

Summary

Introduction

Exposure of exogenous chemicals can affect human health, which has resulted in an urgent need for human biomonitoring. Exposure to artificial or natural endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phytoestrogens has been demonstrated to have health effects, especially in children. Biomonitoring of BPA and phytoestrogens in human urine can be used to assess the intake levels of these compounds. Urinary concentrations of daidzein in Chinese children are higher when compared with those reported in the U.S children, while concentrations of urinary enterolactone and enterodiols are significantly lower. This suggests a significant difference in phytoestrogen intake between the children from China and from the U.S. Paper on BPA Biomonitoring and Biomarkerstudies; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2011.

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Discussion

Conclusion